Our four-legged friends shouldn’t be abandoned

Dear Readers: Today’s Sound Off is about abandoned pets:

”Dear Heloise: Why do people abandon pets on the street or in rural fields to starve or get hit by a car? That’s cruel! I get angry when someone says, ‘Well, it’s just a dog or just a cat.’ If people have a pet they can’t keep or don’t want, they should contact the various pet shelters in their area, or search for a friend or relative who’ll give the pet a good home.”—Roberta M., Kenner, La.

Roberta, I agree! Where I live, people “dump” animals, thinking that someone will take care of the dog. Yes, I’ve taken in two dogs that “just showed up,” and given them both good homes: John Doe, a beautiful golden retriever who lived to the ripe old age of almost 11; then Sheba, a keeshond who gave us much love, even when she snuck into the house and slept on the couch, then snuck out the doggy door.— Heloise

NO DRIPS OR SPLATTERS

Dear Heloise: Here is how I keep drips and splatters of paint off doorknobs and hardware when I’m painting walls and woodwork: I simply wrap them in aluminum foil. It molds perfectly to the shape of anything it covers.—Ella J., Troy, Mich.

Ella, that’s a great idea! Here are a few more uses for aluminum foil:

Baked-on food, in a glass pan: Use dishwashing liquid and a ball of foil in place of steel wool.

Wrap foil around young trees, especially near the root area, to protect them.

Shampooing your carpets? Be sure to wrap the legs of your furniture in foil to keep dampness and splattered shampoo off them.— Heloise

FAST FACTS

Dear Readers: With beach and bathing-suit season almost here, most folks want to shed a few winter pounds.

How many calories your body burns depends on a variety of factors, such as your age, height and sex, how much real muscle you have and how active you are. With this in mind, here are a few reminders of how many calories you may or may NOT burn off:

n Aerobics for one hour: burns about 533 calories.

n Running for 30 minutes at 12-minute miles: burns 303 calories.

n Slow walking for an hour: burns 204 calories.

So before you reach for that second doughnut or cookie, think how long it might take you to burn it off !—Heloise

PET HINTS

Dear Readers: With summer coming, many parts of the country will be experiencing extreme hot weather. Here are a few hints to keep in mind if you own furry pets:

Always have fresh water available.

If you keep them outside, place food and water in a shady spot.

Bring them inside on extremely hot or cold days, if you can.

Brush their coat while checking for fleas and ticks.

—Heloise

WATER AT HAND Dear Heloise: When I grill food, Ikeep a spray bottle filled with water nearby. It comes in handy if there is a minor flareup.—George S., via email

SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise

P.O. Box 795000

San Antonio, TX 78279-5000 Fax: 1-210-HELOISE

Email: Heloise@Heloise.com